TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A VEHICLE MERGED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND STRUCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND FEET AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH GASES AND METAL FRAGMENTS, WHICH INJURED THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND DIAGNOSED WITH A DISLOCATED VERTEBRAE, FACIAL INJURIES, CHEST INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT BELTS, AND INJURIES TO THE SHIN BECAUSE OF THE FEET AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT REQUIRED SURGERY TO THE DAMAGED VERTEBRAE AND HER HEARING WAS LOST PERMANENTLY. THE DEALER (SHEEHY TOYOTA OF STAFFORD, 95 GARRISONVILLE RD, STAFFORD, VIRGINIA, (540) 720-4700) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.*DT*JB